BREAKING: Former Kangaroo Flat and Castlemaine footballer Shelby Knoll made an electrifying debut in the AFLW for Richmond on Saturday, scoring a remarkable goal with her very first kick. Just after celebrating her 25th birthday, Knoll’s debut against the Gold Coast Suns at IKON Park showcased her talent and determination.
Within minutes of the game, Knoll won a holding the ball free kick in the forward pocket. From a challenging angle against the boundary, she executed a stunning set-shot, securing Richmond’s opening goal and igniting excitement among fans.
Knoll’s journey to this moment has been anything but easy. After being selected by Richmond in April 2023 during the AFLW supplementary draft, she faced a serious setback with an ACL injury in December 2023. However, her relentless rehabilitation efforts culminated in her call-up for the Tigers’ final game of the season.
Despite Knoll’s inspiring performance, the Tigers fell short, losing to the Suns by 14 points, with a final score of 5.9 (39) to 3.7 (25).
Knoll’s football journey began in 2014 with the youth girls team at Kangaroo Flat. She later played for the senior women’s team before joining Castlemaine in 2022, where she clinched a CVFL premiership and scored an impressive 52 goals that season. Initially, she planned to transition to the VFLW with Casey, but a surprising call from Richmond changed her trajectory.
In her own words, Knoll expressed her disbelief at her recent achievements:
“Two weeks ago, none of this was on the radar for me. I got a phone call from Richmond who asked me to come in for an interview… It was obviously a fantastic moment when it happened last night.”
As Knoll takes her first steps into the AFLW spotlight, fans and critics alike are eager to see how her journey unfolds. The excitement surrounding her debut signifies not only personal triumph but also the growing talent in women’s football.
Stay tuned for more updates as Knoll and Richmond look to build on this promising start in future matches.
